AFP to fight officers' strike action as parliament sits

AFP officers are taking industrial action for the first time this century as part of a pay dispute. (Stefan Postles/AAP PHOTOS)

Any application by officers for protected industrial action to disrupt parliament will be "strenuously" opposed by Australian Federal Police.

Police members could go on strike for the first time this century after they were offered what their union deemed a "toxic" pay deal.

The AFP said officers could not lawfully walk off the job this week as parliament sat, because the action needed five full business days' notice.

"If the AFP is notified of protected industrial action that could impact on next week’s sitting, the AFP would strenuously oppose this application in the Fair Work Commission," the force said in a statement on Monday,

Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana said while there were contingency plans, parliament would need to "shut down" if the threat level was unsafe without federal police.

AFP logo
"The deal currently being presented is toxic," AFP Association president Alex Caruana says.

"Ultimately we're trying to disrupt parliament, that's our goal," he said.

The AFP said it "encourages the AFPA to be mindful of its language, noting any baseless suggestion that resources could lawfully be withdrawn can have a chilling impact on stakeholders and the wider public".

Politicians and political events will not be guarded by the AFP unless there is a "significant" threat, with officers to be temporarily pulled from investigating crimes related to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and tax office.

The breakdown in negotiations comes after Commonwealth public servants, including federal police, were offered an 11.2 per cent increase over three years with added work-from-home provisions.

"We are going to make it hard for them and this is a clear way to send the message to the politicians, particularly the current government, that they need to do better for our members," Mr Caruana said.

He said up to five days' notice had to be given before industrial action was taken, which would result in police leaving for their entire shifts.

(L-R) Jacqui Lambie, Alex Caruana and David Pocock
Senators Jacqui Lambie (left) and David Pocock (right) backed union president Alex Caruana (centre).

The union argues police officers should not be placed in the same category as desk-job public servants.

Mr Caruana said the AFP were the lowest-paid officers in the country and would leave the force in droves because of uncompetitive wages and conditions.

Under pressure and under-resourced, six per cent of members surveyed indicated they would leave the AFP immediately if the proposed pay deal was enforced, while more than two-thirds said they would look for jobs elsewhere.

Federal MPs and senators were notified about the impending protected industrial action on Sunday.

Standing alongside the AFP union in solidarity, independent senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock called on Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to step in and help negotiate a fair deal.

Senator Lambie said she did not feel safe when police weren't getting wage increases.

AFP recruit in hat
Uncompetitive wages and conditions could lead officers to leave the AFP, Alex Caruana says.

"These guys have put their lives on the line every time they put that uniform on ... then give them the goddamn pay rise they deserve," she said. 

Senator Lambie said if "anything happens" while the AFP were on strike, the blame would sit with Labor for not sorting out the dispute.

Senator Pocock said politicians were "very happy to cop" the biggest increase to salaries in a long time, while not offering the same conditions to police on the frontline.

Senate President Sue Lines told the upper house on Monday security at parliament would be heightened and short-term measures had been introduced, after protesters scaled the building in July.

13YARN 13 92 76

Lifeline 13 11 14

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store